Thursday, July 9, 2009

Sovereign Hill

We went to Sovereign Hill this weekend and what a fab experience! From the aromas of wood fires and the clopping of horse hoofs this place is a must for a trip back to the gold rush! So in honor of this old fashion place i think i will add for a great roast.

Basic Roast Chicken and Veggies

So get a whole chicken and rub some sea salt mixed with crushed garlic and rosemary on the out side. Place this in a roasting tray and put into a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees Celsius.

Cut up some veggies, my fave to add at potatoes, Sweet potatoes, pumpkin and carrot and spray them with olive oil and sprinkle some sea salt over them (just alittle) after 10 minutes in the oven pull out the chicken and place veggies in the pan with it and then stick back in for another 25-30 minutes. (alternatively you can put the veggies in a separate dish and just add then the the oven)

*note, timing depends on the size of the chicken and veggies, these times are for a small chicken.

Now you will have a lovely basic Roast Chicken that tastes GREAT!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Dinner Parties

Tonight we are going out to a family dinner, and as customary we are bringing a plate of food to share... Now as im still not 100% i dont wanna spend ages making something but i dont wanna buy something and look lazy, so im going to make cocktail meatballs.

COCKTAIL MEATBALLS
you'll need to have some toothpicks for the end result

So about 250g - 500g of mince meat depending on the size of the dinner party and how big the meatballs you roll are.

Put that into a bowl and add a cup of plain flour a 1/4 cup of water and 2 table spoons of Sweet Chilli Sauce (for 250g of meat). Mix together using a Wooden Spoon and your hands.

When that is complete using a tablespoon scoop mixture unto your hand and roll into balls, adding flour to their exterior.

Now there are two way to cook these; Pan-frying or Deep Frying.

To pan fry:

In a medium sized pan over a medium stove heat a think layer of oil, when the oil is hot add the balls (it might take 2 or 3 pans depending on the sizes and amount used) and move continuously around the pan making sure all sides are browning.

To Deep Fry:

Using a Deep Fryer or a Saucepan of oil (though this can be dangerous so be careful and never let children try this) Add enough oil to submerge the ball in. Heat the oil (always watching it, never leave it even for a second and remember that should a fire accrue dont pour water over it as this will spread the flames, throw a damp tea towel over the source of the flame and call the fire station.) When hot submerge the ball for about 30 seconds at a time (times will very due to sizes test a few first and adjust your time.

To sever, place on a platter (for additional presentation on a large lettuce leaf) and have two bowls one with tomato sauce and one with Sweet Chilli sauce for dipping.

Feeling Sick

Tonight im feeling sick and dont really wanna cook anything special but i am feeling like a nice hot meal....So here is an easy meal that doesnt take much time at all but is great for the night you cant be bothered.

Honey Soy Chicken with Hot Potatoes
(Dinner for two)

First your will need Aluminum Foil

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celcus

Cut twon squares of AlFoil a little bigger then the size of the piece of chicken your planning of cooking.

Now to make the marinade (or if you have a pre-made one from a can or packet you can use that) mix one table spoon of honey with four table spoons of soya sauce until mostly combind (make enought for two meduim sized chicken fillet)

Using the spoon you mixed the marinade add the marinade to the chicken pieces on both sides and then spread alittle on the AlFoil and lay the chicken on top of it. Add alittle more on the top and then fold the AlFoil around the chicken (as your would AlFoil on a highlight :P) and place the Chicken Foil into the oven for 15 minutes

While this is in the oven,

Dice up three potatoes fry in a non stick frypan with some rock salt on HIGH making sure you move it around alot to advoid burning. When most pieces have browned on all sides turn the heat to low and once the potatoe stops sizzling add a lid and leave for 5 minutes.

Combind the two and you have a simple dinner thats easy and yummy.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Cold Mornings

This is my First Blog! Yay Me!

So at the moment it is a pretty dreary morning, FREEZING and raining. I don't mind the rain much, but its cold and i didn't sleep well....

I'm gonna put in a recipe for great pancakes/crepes that makes a cold dreary morning a little better.

SUPER EASY PANCAKES
Makes enough for three people

You'll Need :

2 cups plain flour
2 cups milk (low fat if you want)
4 eggs
1 teaspoon of sugar

What To Do :

STEP 1

-Put the Plain Flour a mixing bowl and make a well
-Add the milk into the well
-Add the eggs into the well as well
- Mix with a Whisk or wooden spoon until a smooth liquid

STEP 2
-Heat a small non stick pan on medium/high
-using a serving spoon, spoon some mixutre into the pan and then spread around with the bottom of the spoon
- With a thin coverage it should only take about a minute to cook
- repeat with all the mixture

STEP 3
- Serve with either Lemon and Suger, or Low fat yogurt and fruit, or if your feeling really naughty with Chocolate syrup!!!

YUMMY!

Now as its also cold im gonna have my pancakes with a Hot Drink and Hot Chocolate is my FAVE!

so I heat the milk in a small saucepan when its just hot enough that it hurts your finger dip in and then add a few heaped tablespoons of coco powder (or Milo) and stir and then pour into your mug and drink!